As colleges and universities gear up for students to return to school in the fall, many are releasing their COVID-19 expectations for students and faculty—with Central Michigan University being the latest.
The Mt. Pleasant university announced on Monday in buildings and common areas at least through the month of September, though vaccines are not required.
“I think it’s very important that we keep wearing masks,” said sophomore Mallory Heath.
Heath said the university’s mask mandate will help keep everyone safe.
“Especially with this new Covid variant coming around, I think it’s important that we keep wearing masks because if this new variant spreads, it could cause a whole new wave of Covid,” she said.
Grace Gotham will be an incoming freshman in the fall. She said she’s looking forward to in person classes, and doesn’t mind the mask mandate.
“For me being in a classroom setting helps me learn better, and I think it’ll be easier to communicate and make sure everybody understands the material,” said Gotham.
In President Davies’ letter to students and faculty, he said more 80% of classes this fall will have a face-to-face component.
While students and faculty will be required to wear masks, unlike other colleges and universities, CMU is not requiring vaccines.
Through a recent vaccine survey, the university said 34% of their on-campus students are vaccinated, while the rates are much higher for staff (60%) and faculty (71%).
The university’s Communications Executive Director Heather Smith released a statement regarding this decision:
“Central Michigan University is not requiring students or employees to be vaccinated. However, we strongly encourage our campus community to be vaccinated and provide vaccinations at no cost to every community member. CMU is an authorized vaccination site, and we’ve vaccinated many students, staff and faculty already. Getting vaccinated is ultimately a personal choice and we support everyone’s decision to make that determination for themselves.”
Heath agreed, and said the university has made it easy for people to get vaccinated if they want.
“There are a ton of places in the campus and around the campus where you can get vaccinated,” she said. “I got vaccinated here at CMU, which was really convenient and nice.”
And while the mask mandate is in effect at least through September, Heath said she hopes people take it seriously.
“If we all wear our masks, do the right thing, we could get through this and have a better college year,” she said.
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